Is Mr. AXiD670 also known as mightymike?

-Rudey

Probably not.

Probably not Jarhead either.

(I once met a Delt Alum who was a retired Marine Aviator. His name was Major James Kirk. Of course that means that prior to that he was Captain James Kirk.)

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Question for military buffs
 

F the French. Bunch of cats.
(I'd be more explicit, but not while wearing my letters.)

I never used to give much thought to the armed forces. Then came the day when there were many unclaimed cars in the train station parking lots and my neighbors simply *vanished* from the upper floors of the twin towers. I now cheer the men and women who put on a uniform and fight to keep this country free.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Question for military buffs
 

Yeah you wouldn't want to associate ignorant French bashing with your letters :rolleyes:

>>> BUMP >>>

Okay how about another question that might not be so "partisan" for some ;)

What do you consider the most moving/powerful war memorial? Which is the most moving one nationally, and which is the most moving one on foreign soil?

To me, it's the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington. Although I was too young to serve in Nam, visiting it for the first time was very emotional for me. The sight of over 50,000 names on a black granite wall, all of whom are dead or missing in action will not hesitate to bring a tear to my eye. (I served in the military during the closing years of the Cold War.)

I'd say one of the most moving memorials on foreign soil would be the military cemeteries in Europe; there's one in Hamm, Luxembourg where General Patton is buried.

Well for me the most powerful and moving national memorial (in Canada) is the National War Memorial - the size and weight of the figures and arch, as well as the tomb of the unknown soldier at it's base serve to remind all who pass/see it.
http://www.harrypalmergallery.ab.ca/.../natwarmin.jpg

As for a memorial on 'foreign' soil it has to be the Vimy Memorial - it is massive, surounded by the still visible scars of the Great War... but most impressive to me is the artist beauty and power of it.
http://www.harrypalmergallery.ab.ca/...myswcenmin.jpg
The twin pylons of the Vimy Memorial represent the two nations of Canada and France. The large park on which the memorial is situated was given by France to Canada in perpetuity. The battle of Vimy Ridge in April 1917 was a Canadian success story. While the memorial is located at the site of the Battle of Vimy Ridge it specifically commemorates the 60,000 Canadians who died in the Great War. The names of 11,285 Canadians who died in France and have no known grave are inscribed around the base of the memorial.

In fact following the fall of France there were rumors that the Germans were tearing down or defacing WWI War Memorials - so Hitler had a series of photos of him taken at the Vimy Memorial and had them sent to various papers, along with his orders threatening to shoot any man who desecrated the site.


As for a US memorial (since most of you are familiar with these) - mine isn't the Vietnam Memorial... it's the Korean War Memorial nearby- the patrol of life-sized figures advancing through the grass, with the ghostly sillouttes of men & women overlooking the figures from the wall behind is haunting... made even more so at night when the lighting enhances the effect (wish I could of found a good photo of that).
http://www.triway.k12.oh.us/tjhs/Korean.jpg

Concur. Because I knew some of the people listed there. I'll leave it at that.

oh my

Actually, I have Three.

1. WW I Memorial in Kansas City, the only one in the world. Has been restored to former glory with more artifacts added to it with more space.

It is a very tall Tower with a flame on the top setting on a high bluff over looking Kansas City.

2. The Marine Memorial in Arlington is awesome. Had an Uncle with 13 Purple Hearts from the Pacific Campign.

3. Haveing just seen the 3/4 traveling Wall of Viet Nam is very stiring. Knew people there and had a cousin wounded there. It is very Heart wrenching.

Any Memorial to any and all fighting Men/Women should be reviered for and by all of us!


Lest I forget any of the USA Civil War Memorials and I have been to a lot, one is Gettysburg. What an awesome overall place thinking about what happened there, the Men from America who were killed there from bot sides dieing for what they beleived in.

For some reason, the memorials that always get to me are the smaller local ones.

You know - you're wondering through some little town and then there's some small plaque or statue in a park with a couple dozen names on it. "Dedicated to the brave citizens of ______ who gave their lives for their country in WWII." Depending on how long ago the war was, there's probably still people in that town who knew those soldiers.

Those are always moving really... particularly when you know something of the town/city - so if you see a memorial dedicated to the 31 men from one town who died during WW1, and the total population even until this day is still around 300 it carries a huge meaning in numbers and local history alone.

>>>> BUMP >>>>

It's an interesting thread... and one that should be kept going - so I'll ask another question:

Name one hero or idol from each service (land, sea, & air) of your nation, that you feel embodies the "warrior spirit" and honour. For bonus marks name another hero or idol from each service in a foreign military...

Song-wise, the Marines have the best song ("From the halls of Montezuma ...), with the Air Force #2 ("Off we go into the wild blue yonder ..."). Navy's "Anchors away" is pretty good too. Navy also earns credit for the theme from Victory at Sea.

Is the Army song heard much anymore ("Over hill, over dale, we will hit the dusty trail ...)?

It still is, only with different lyrics as the official Army song:

VERSE

March along, sing our song
With the Army of the free,
We’re the Army and proud of our name!
Count the brave, count the true
Who have fought to victory,
We’re the Army and proudly proclaim:

FIRST CHORUS

First to fight for the right
And to build the nation’s might,
And the Army goes rolling along.
Proud of all we have done,
Fighting till the battle’s won,
And the Army goes rolling along.

REFRAIN

Then it’s hi! hi! hey!
The Army’s on its way
Count off your cadence loud and strong
For where’er we go, you will always know
That the Army goes rolling along.

SECOND CHORUS

Valley Forge, Custer’s ranks
San Juan Hill and Patton’s tanks
And the Army went rolling along.
Minutemen from the start,
Always fighting from the heart,
And the Army keeps rolling along.

REFRAIN

Then it’s hi! hi! hey!
The Army’s on its way
Count off your cadence loud and strong
For where’er we go, you will always know
That the Army goes rolling along.

THIRD CHORUS

Men in rags, men who froze,
Still that Army met its foes,
And the Army went rolling along.
Faith in God, then we’re right
And we’ll fight for all our might
As the Army keeps rolling along.

FINAL REFRAIN

Then it’s hi! hi! hey!
The Army’s on its way
Count off your cadence loud and strong
(two, three!)
For where’er we go, you will always know
That the Army goes rolling along.
(Keep it rolling!)
And the Army goes rolling along!